Stanley cup champs

Counter offer ... Kessel, Hagelin, Pouliot for Benn ($2m retained), Johns, 1st (2018) and a 2nd (2018).

Kessel is the best player in the trade. Benn is a down grade, but at a MUCH larger cap hit. There isn't a large difference in age or potential for much more from either player. Benn scores great numbers with others. Kessel needs no one, and often plays on the 3rd line. There's no reason for PIT to take on more cap. Kessel is worth more than they pay him since TOR retains part of his salary. To get Kessel DAL would need to even out the cap hit. The $2m I suggest doesn't even do that. It gets him to $7.5m which is still 700k higher.

Pouliot and Johns are almost equal value at this point. Pouliot is younger, Johns needs to show more discipline.

Hagelin is worth more than a 2nd (at deadline he could fetch a high value prospect and a 2nd) ... and the 1st to make up for the upgrade DAL gets in Kessel, the cap they save, and Hagelin. PIT isn't going to swallow your cap issues.